Tyler and Lexi’s Heartfelt Western September Wedding at The Urban Cowboy in Nashville, TN
Kimberly and Alan’s Romantic Modern Wedding at Villa Eva in Ravello, Italy
We love this romantic and modern wedding at Villa Eva in Ravello Italy, so we talked to the bride, Kimberly Carter, to find our more about their lovely wedding day…
How it all started…
Myself and my husband, Alan, are childhood sweethearts who have travelled the whole world together, experienced a vast array of cultures, and who knew we simply had to host a wedding that encompassed passion, charm, adventure and breathtaking backdrops – this had to be the Amalfi Coast, Italy. We chose the enchanting liberty-style venue, Villa Eva, nestled within the pictoresque and historic town of Ravello set amongst the azure blue of the Amalfi Coast.
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Modern Romance
The theme was that of modern romance, Italian charm and extreme intimacy set against the colourful, vibrant and airy backdrop of Ravello – the highest point on the Amalfi Coast. The theme was captured through dramatic, yet elegant colourful floral arrangements featured as part of creative cascading tabletops and featured on the mezmerizing ‘Bellevue Edge’ garden adorned with exquisite orchids, roses, flickering candles and an elegant petal walkway.
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
A modern, sexy twist on romance was incorporated into wedding aesthetic, such as the creation of a custom and bridal gown complete with a dramatic veil adorned with a floral applique trim accompanied with a lavish and timeless black tux – the true epitome of Italian romance and intimacy which symbolised the wedding day.
Unique and personalised decor was featured throughout the day as an ode to the decade of our relationship which has been spent as two soul mates travelling the world and making memories that will last a lifetime. Our love for adventure and fun was injected into creative features of the day, such as use of a vintage style worldmap motif that was utilised to design postcard style wedding invites, as well as being featured on a striking and dramatic floor length seating plan.
Personalised confetti holders which mimicked a worldmap and contained peach rose petals were featured alongside personalised fans – both displayed elegantly on seats during the ceremony. Not forgetting an impressively styled limoncello stand with overflowing lemons and personalised bottles which were featured next to a vintage polaroid guestbook stand. These small touches were created with elegance, style and with an injection of personality.
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Internet research, online recommendations via wedding blogs, bridal groups and even wedding podcasts helped in my search for the most amazing suppliers. This helped myself to secure my dreamy wedding dress, hair and makeup artist and to make important decisions regarding the design and style of the day. Our wedding planner, Happy Brides, helped us source Italian based suppliers, including photography, videography, florals and music.
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Here’s the vendors list:
Venue: @villaevaravello
Planner: @happy_brides_weddings
Photography: @mantino_photography
Videography: @diegoperrinivideo
Dress: @victoriarobsonbridal @maggiesotterodesigns
Hair & Makeup: @carlymichellemakeupandhair
Hair accessories: @viviembellishbridal
Perfume: @jomalonelondon
Florals: @staraceflorist
Music: @irinakant
Stationery: @suziearmsdesign
Champagne Tower: @villaevaravello
Tux: @boss
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
Canva became my best friend…
A lot of the design aspects of the day were done DIY including creating personalised fans, personalised limoncello bottles, guest arrival bags and confetti holders. My very artistic Maid of Honour was a huge help in supporting myself to create personalised signs that were featured next to the guestbook station, the cigar station, the signature cocktail station and next to the limoncello stand. Canva became my best friend when it came to pulling wedding inspo ideas together. I also heavil utilised Pinterest and YouTube tutorials.
Mantino Photography
Mantino Photography
The Italian Wedding Planner
With it being a destination wedding, we hired an Italian wedding planner to help source Italian suppliers and to support with any language barriers. The wedding was planned over a one year period and I set aside time every week to complete 1-2 smaller wedding tasks, as well as leaning on friends and family to help with other tasks to reduce the workload which I would highly recommend!
Overcoming the fears
When it comes to planning a destination wedding, you’re somewhat limited in terms of having regular meet ups at your wedding venue and with your suppliers so there’s a great deal of apprehension in the lead up, i.e. worries about the wedding dress or luggage containing wedding items not arriving… However, that sense of calm once that I experienced once I had landed in Italy was simply serene!
I am a big people pleaser and I wish I had worried a LOT less about the opinions of others. I wish I hadn’t sweated the small stuff as truly your wedding day is the most amazing day of your life. It could not have gone more PERFECTLY and this is all you will remember when you look back on your gorgeous day.
Advice for future couples?
Take LOTS of advice and inspo from other brides and blogs – I am sooo pleased I did this. The advice from other brides, bridal businesses and blogs was unparalleled. Make your wedding truly your own with your own stamp on it. Block out the noise from others, and sit back and allow it to be the most magical experience of your life!
